27 Truths: Ava's story (The Truth About Love Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

makes no sense, but here I am, a twenty-five-year-old woman making a ridiculous decision because why? Because I am in the most complicated relationship in the history of relationships. Is it worth it? Yes.
    My steps quicken as I near his driveway, needing to see his truck. Then I need to keep walking so I don’t look like a foolish little girl if he happens to see me walk by. As much as I would like to turn around and possibly jog home and jump back into bed, it can’t and won’t happen.
    When I walk quickly past the house, I see his truck isn’t home, and I feel emotions boil up in my throat as tears tease my eyes. I am hurt, sick to my stomach, and angry. My steps come more quickly as I make my way down to the end of the road.
    When I’m almost at the stop sign exactly half a mile from my house where I planned to turn and head back, I see a Chevy turn off at Tollgate Hill Road toward me. It’s Luke.
    As he nears me, I look at the ground to avoid the awkward nod, wave, or even more awkward, him possibly not waving at me, which would be heartbreaking. But maybe he just got up early.
    He slows down as he passes, and I speed up my pace. Then I hear brakes, a transmission shifting gears, and the tires crunching as he backs up and is now literarily right beside me.
    He rolls down his window. “Need a ride?”
    I try to get a good look at him. I try to see if he’s an early riser or if he is just now getting home from a late night.
    I smile and shake my head. “I need the exercise.”
    His eyes go from my lips to my eyes and back again. “Get in the truck, Ava.”

THREE
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Love is ugly and love can heal.
— M. Sanchez-Cortez
    I look up, and our eyes meet, blue to blue.
    He runs his hand over his head and sighs, “It’s too early to be taking a walk. Too shitty out, too.”
    The words register, but I’m so damn busy trying to stop myself from feeling like I want to kiss him one second and slap him the next. He’s clearly been out all night. He looks exhausted.
    “Ava, get in the damn truck.”
    He swings his door open, steps out, picks me up, all but throws me inside, and jumps in behind me when a snowplow whizzes past us.
    “What the fuck are you doing?” he snaps.
    I immediately look away from him. I feel stupid, so damn stupid.
    “Ava?” The way he says my name is cold and has never sounded worse.
    “I was walking,” I snap back, scowling.
    He throws his truck in drive and heads toward my house. “Bad fucking idea, kid.”
    When he passes his house and then mine, I look at him.
    He senses it immediately and looks over at me. “My family will be up soon. Passed your brother heading into Ithaca, so I’m gonna assume he’s going to the gym, but can’t be too sure. Safer to get a hotel.”
    “Didn’t you get enough last night?” comes out snippy and immature.
    He slows down and looks at me. “You and I have a problem I don’t know about? If we do, say the word and I’ll take you home.” His eyes do that thing, going back and forth between mine.
    It’s been too damn long, and I have planned the next two weeks out to a T. I need to tell him I’m ready to move forward with what is going on between us.
    I’m crushed that he may have been with her, but that’s my fault, too. I have played this game with him and been just fine with it because, in being a player in this game for two, my end goal has always been to win his heart.
    When I don’t say anything, he says, “Good.” He nods. “You all bundled up?”
    I nod back, not wanting to say anything because I am nervous, more so than I ever have been in my life.
    “I thought maybe you’d gained some weight. You think you could lose some of the layers before we get there, Ava?” he says with all the directness Luke brings whenever we are together.
    I start with my jacket and very slowly remove my sweatshirt. The way he watches me makes my pulse quicken and my mouth get drier. It’s as if every sense heightens, including my sense of need.
    He